PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY FOR CHILDREN

Our children, now more than ever have every opportunity to keep their smile for life. With the knowledge that we have gained in decay prevention, water fluoridation and oral hygiene, we can educate them on how to keep their teeth for longer.
    
It is most important that you set a good example for your children as they are led by your actions. Teaching your child that brushing and flossing is part of their everyday routine is crucial. Following this, they should be taught about the effects of sugary foods and drinks and the importance of regular trips to visit our practice.
    
Here are some important daily steps:

• Assist your child in daily brushing up until the age of seven. Most children do not have the manual dexterity to complete this task efficiently before this age.
• You should use a soft child’s toothbrush and only use a small ‘pea’ size amount of children’s toothpaste.
• Offer fluoridated water to help protect the teeth from decay.
• Limit or avoid the foods that can cause decay. Those include sweet, sticky foods and sugary drinks. If you like to give these treats then it is recommended to not allow your child to ‘graze feed’ on them. This will prolong the amount of time that their teeth are under attack.
• It is advised not to allow your child to go to bed with a bottle containing milk, as it will pool around the teeth encouraging bacteria to develop thereby leading to decay.

Finally, dental visits for children should begin early, around the age of three. Not only does this allow your child to become familiar with our practice but also enables our team to monitor your child’s jaw growth and development, and address any concerns early.